Mick McCarthy refused to speculate over the future of on-loan winger Stewart Downing after the England Under-19 international delivered a dazzling debut at West Brom.

The Teesside-born midfielder pipped team-mate Jeff Whitley for man-of-the-match honours and received a standing ovation from Sunderland's travelling support when he was withdrawn in second half stoppage time.

Downing struck a post after the break following two fine first-half efforts and provided the cross of the game for Kevin Kyle only to see the Scottish international's header tipped over. Now McCarthy must hope the Middlesbrough youngster's form does not warrant an immediate recall to the Riverside at the end of the month with Steve McClaren keeping a close eye on the progress of Bolo Zenden's understudy.

McCarthy said: "I knew what Stewart Downing was capable of and he produced the goods.

"But I can't even think about whether we can keep him for more than the month agreed with Middlesbrough.

"He's only trained with us for one day and played one game in a red-and-white shirt. I'm delighted with him and, in the games that he has ahead of him, I hope he plays the same way."

McCarthy was delighted with the manner in which his side set about Saturday's league leaders even if his team's failure to find the net irked him.

His side need a goal but the club's boss refuses to blame strikers Kyle and Marcus Stewart as both players continue to hit the target.

"We were even more dominant in the second half than we were at Norwich the previous week," said McCarthy.